Life on the Global Underdogs journey can be defined as a rollercoaster ride. There is simply no other way to explain it.
Our Action Network soccer handicappers had a great debut, only to put back in their place second time out in the weekly feature. However, lightning struck again for the crew last week when Action Network Soccer Editor Jeremy Pond got things going early with Championship side Sunderland cashing as a +255 moneyline winner on the road against Stoke City.
THREE POINTS ✊#SAFC | #STOSUNpic.twitter.com/zxhFTDL8nk
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 20, 2022
Fellow analyst Nick Hennion closed things out in style when Premier League surprise Brighton & Hove Albion (+210) earned a 2-0 win over West Ham United at London Stadium.
This week, Pond returns in his quest to go a perfect 3 for 3 with his selections to start the campaign and is joined by handicappers Ian Quillen and Brett Pund for some intriguing wagers.
If you're a new or old friend, our experts look for live underdogs at +200 odds or longer playing on the weekend around the globe. Whether it's a match in Premier League, La Liga, Championship or maybe something from Major League Soccer, the goal is simple: Find a team that could deliver a winner.
That said, let's take a look at their top picks on another loaded docket.
Our 3 Favorite ML Underdogs
| GAME | PICK | ODDS | DAY | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Hull City vs. Coventry City | Hull City ML (+210) | Saturday | 10 a.m. ET |
| RBNY vs. Inter Miami | Inter Miami ML (+400) | Saturday | 7 p.m. ET |
| Aston Villa vs. West Ham | West Ham ML (+220) | Sunday | 9 a.m. ET |
Get up-to-the-minute soccer odds here.
Jeremy Pond: Hull City ML (+220) vs. Coventry City
- Odds available at FanDuel
- Day | Time: Saturday | 10 a.m. ET
We struck gold in the Championship last time out when Sunderland delivered the upset road win. So, rather than bounce around to another league across the pond, let's stay put in the English second division.
I actually thought about going back to the Wearside well with my latest pick since the Black Cats are +215 moneyline home dogs against Norwich City. However, I've opted to retire Sunderland and put the club in its place in my personal Global Underdogs Hall of Fame with League Two outfit Walsall.
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Instead, I'm backing Hull City to bag all three points against Coventry City. Yes, I'm well aware the Tigers got pummelled in a 5-2 shellacking against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns last time out. However, they were unbeaten in four contests (2-0-2/W-L-D) prior to that debacle, so I'm more than willing to give them a free pass ahead of this clash.
As for Coventry, the club is in quite a bit of disarray at the moment. This will be the Sky Blues' first match in two weeks due to not being able to host fixtures at Coventry Building Society Arena due to a pitch issue. So, the time off from competitive action combined with the fact the club recorded just a single point from its two lone games are big causes for concern.
Finally, when you throw in that Hull City is unbeaten in its last five Championship matches and Coventry City has gone winless in its last six league affairs, I think it adds up to us finding ourselves another live underdog.
Ian Quillen: Inter Miami ML (+400) vs. RBNY
- Odds available at DraftKings
- Day | Time: Saturday | 7 p.m. ET
Another weekend, another chance to fade a heavily favored New York Red Bulls side at Red Bull Arena in Major League Soccer action.
This time, it's Inter Miami which heads to Harrison, N.J., in its best form in club history after acquiring former league MVP Alejandro Pozuelo from Toronto FC in a summer trade. The Herons haven't exactly been dominant, but they're unbeaten in five matches and always stay in the game with a hard-nosed attitude that mirrors manager Phil Neville's playing days.
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The Red Bulls continue to be an enigma on home soil and were saved from a sixth defeat at Red Bull Arena by a fortunate (but correctly awarded) penalty in a 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati last Saturday.
Manager Gerhard Struber's men were also housed in a 2-0 road defeat at the hands of Inter Miami earlier this year in a contest that snapped their six-match unbeaten road start. And the Herons' unwillingness to play into a track meet away from home is bad news for a New York team that wastes chances.
Maybe Inter Miami should be the underdog, but +400 moneyline odds and an implied 20% probability this number is just too lucrative to pass up.
Brett Pund: West Ham ML (+220) vs. Aston Villa
- Odds available at BetMGM
- Day | Time: Sunday | 9 a.m. ET
This is the time to buy West Ham United at its lowest in the market, with the outfit traveling to play a struggling Aston Villa side. For starters, manager David Moyes’ club is due for some luck in front of goal after failing to find the back of the net on a combined 3.2 expected goals, according to fbref.com.
You also must look at how these teams fared against similar competition last season. West Ham won seven of 10 road games against sides that finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, the Villans won just two fixtures at Villa Park against top 10 EPL clubs and were outscored by 10 goals in those meetings.
